New FSIN Chief Hoping to Help Northern Economy

New FSIN Chief Hoping to Help Northern Economy

Friday, October 17, 2003 at 14:58

The new chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations feels his election win yesterday should pave the way for more opportunties for northern First Nations citizens.

Montreal Lake band member Alphonse Bird defeated incumbent Perry Bellegarde in yesterday’s voting.

He is the first northerner in several years to be chosen to lead the FSIN.

Bird says there are all kinds of economic opportunities in Northern Saskatchewan that he wants the federation to better position itself to maximize.

Bird also feels his election win is a signal that First Nations leaders want an increased emphasis on economic development.

Bellegarde wasn’t the only incumbent to lose his job yesterday. Incumbent vice chiefs Greg Ahenakew and Lindsay Cyr were voted out of office yesterday, and have been replaced by Morley Watson and Delbert Wapass.

Bird says the overhaul of the FSIN executive might also be a sign that First Nations leaders want to see increased communication between bands and the federation.